In Everything Give Thanks

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The will of God is that we should always be thankful, find a reason to rejoice and continue to pray… No matter what storms come your way or obstacles that you face, the challenge of every man and woman of God is to stay the course holding to the precious promises of God and making the most of every situation! Paul told the church ofPhilippi, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” The secret of being content is that you hold to the fact that God has seen you through your ups and downs, you smile because regardless of your abundance or your lack you still have a roof over your head and clothes on your back… I remind myself daily that things could always be worseand that only rejuvenates my joy. A child of God is known by actions, not by what they say… Paul’s letter to the church of Thessalonica reminds us that we are to praise God and pray to God continuously… When your time is devoted to praising God and praying you have no room to complain, when your time is devoted to giving thanks unto the Lord you don’t have time to pout or throw temper tantrums… 

Paul’s says rejoice evermore!Often times we are looking for a red sea or Damascus road experience in order to rejoice, but we are told today that we should always rejoice… There will be storms in your life, there will be trials that you encounter and we must learn to stop trying to face them on our own, but go to the Lord in prayer… So often people face challenges and try to defeat them by themselves, that’s what the church is for, that’s what the body of believers is for; God said when two or three are gathered in His name He will be in the midst…Pray to God, but also surround yourself with people of God to pray with you and for you… James said that when we ask of the Lord we cannot waver, we already know what God has done for us that’s why we can rejoice, we know that we can take anything too Him through prayer and if you believe Paul’s next statement says “In everything give thanks…” We as a child of God can give thanks simple because God promised to never put more on us than we can bear, we can give thanks because we know that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, we can give thanks because we know that even when are closest friends turned there backs on us Christ died on the cross so that we might have life and have it more abundantly… Paul says that these things that we are to do are the will of God toward us… Our job on this earth is to minister, to serve others and to let others know that grace that God has dispensed on the cross for all mankind… 

You touch the lives of people in so many ways and we must let them know that we are a child of God! This isn’t done by wearing a cross around our necks, this isn’t done by carrying a bible everywhere we go and it isn’t done by listening to gospel music all day long… People will know you’re a child of the King when they see you rejoicing in all things, they will know when they see you praying about situations, they will know when you are able to give thanks unto the Lord even when people don’t understand what you’re thankful for… There is an old saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. This simply implies that you should never allow your circumstances to destroy your goals or focus for you life, in fact you should take the sour taste and use it to make something good out of a bad situation. This passage in 1 Thessalonians reminds us to rejoice evermore, meaning that we must keep the joy of Jesus in our hearts at all times, we must never get down upon the current situations because we can look to Jesus and know that He went to the cross and now seats at the right hand of the father. This passage also tells us to always stay in prayer; it doesn’t matter what the doctor has said, or what you friends have told you (look at Job), we must stay in communication with God knowing that He has the final answer, but more importantly that He has what we stand in need of. That’s why we should be thankful for any and everything that comes our way, because we know that walking in the will of God will have the dark days and bumpy roads, but in the end our crown awaits. In the end we will have uncontrollable joy and we will be caught up to a place where there will be no more weeping, crying, or sin!!!! So be thankful and press on!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You Shall Be Filled

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." 

Matthew 5:6

Hunger and thirst are two conditions within our body that we feel daily… The average man can go just a few days without water and (maybe a week or two) without food before losing once mental stability and life itself… The pains of hunger and the desire for water or drink can alter not only our attitude or conduct, but our way of life and priority… No man wants to go without food or drink because of the state of misery, discomfort and/or depression that he/she will be exposed too… We feed our body several times a day in trying to satisfy a hunger or to quench a thirst; however, within a few short hours we are repeating this never ending cycle. Everyone in this world is hungry or thirsty for something, but in today’s scripture we find that only a desire for righteousness shall be filled… There are so many people on this earth who are pursuing so many things and even as they ascend to higher levels they are never satisfied with their gain… The thirst you have for success can never be filled if you don’t go to the source of Jesus Christ and drink… 

In the 4^th chapter of the gospel of John we find a story of Jesus encounter with a Samaritan woman (also known as “the woman at the well”; in this passage there a back and forth dialogue that takes place with her and Jesus about water (a physical and need with a spiritual application)… In the 13^th through the  15^th verse of this chapter we find these words recorded, “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” The woman desires to be filled with the water of Jesus so that she will never have to come to that well again; however, the word of God goes on to say that Jesus had to show her to her own self first… You have been doing things your way long enough, you have been seeking the happiness you want on this earth and continue to fall short; your hunger has gone unsatisfied, your thirst has not been quenched and now is the time for you to be called blessed and filled not because you have obtained anything but because you have entrusted your care into the hands of Christ… This Samaritan woman is the symbol of our very lives… She was a prostitute, selling herself for scraps, never realizing her true potential… The money she made, or the room and board she obtained was enough for the night but not for the future… She was ready for a change and wanted to be filled… You can smile and fool everyone around you, but the truth of the matter is that you can never be filled or satisfied by the things of this world… 

There will always be something that you desire, something that you want, and something that you will go and buy, but you can rest assured in Christ that those desires will be dissolved and you will find comfort and happiness through His righteousness… You can find temporary satisfaction on this earth for moments at a time, but the bible declares that in Christ you store up treasures that cannot be depleted or stolen… In the world you find temporary things; in Christ you find undeviating things… Understand how powerful this passage is today, you can only be filled in Christ… The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can stop starving and dehydrating your divine destiny… It’s time for us to go before the living water and drink so we cannot obtain a temporary satisfaction but can in fact be filled… Notice that you will be filled when you desire His righteousness, the Samaritan woman had to accept the mirror being placed before her and so do you… This means that you accept the fact that you are wicked, your way isn’t the best and that you are in need of a savior… Christ can’t fill you up if your cup is not empty… Hunger is felt when there is a lack of food, thirst is felt when a throat is parched or your hydration is low… Instead of going to a familiar source, step out of your box and try Jesus… He’s waiting on you and He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory… Hunger and thirst are natural from the womb; these same conditions that we experience with our body must be a part of our spiritual makeup as well (the pains of hunger and thirst lead to growth and maturity)… This is why Jesus says in the beatitudes, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness…” You have to identify that there is a need and then allow Christ to fill it… He will take the pain away and take you to another level in Him at the same time; this is what it means to be filled…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be Strong And Of Good Courage

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." 

Deuteronomy 31:6

On the verge of your Promise Land you will surely find opposition…  Too often people present a false doctrine and make the voyage of following Christ appear to be a (n) easy task… We believe that we can win souls for Christ by presenting all the things that He will and can do for us and hope that the person we are entertaining doesn’t read the fine print or the disclaimer that informs them that they will deal with persecutions, hardships and trials… As a child of God we are to “consider it pure joy when we face trials” because we are being developed and molded… The pain you endure today releases the power you need to obtain victory tomorrow… Don’t be fooled by the way things may appear to be in your life; instead prepare yourself every morning to be attacked by the enemy… This is why we are charged by Paul to “Put on the whole amour of God…”  There is a battle taking place daily over your very soul and you must come to realization that this is a reality that will be in place until Christ returns and you are called home… 

Make no mistake about it, the word of God never declares that things will go as we draw them up, His word never tells us that the Christian journey will be peaceful and a smooth ride from point “A” to point “B”; however, His word does tell us today that we are charged to “Be strong and of good courage…” Like I said, there is battle taking place everyday and it is not you are not tasked to run or fear, but to stand strong and fear not…This passage was written at point in the lives of the children of God after they had endured the ten plagues, they have already exited the land of Egypt, and the children of God have already crossed the red sea on dry ground and have been fed manna from heaven… This has come after the exalted snake which healed all manner of disease and they have received water from a rock… On the verge of their destiny, Moses (there fearless physically present leader through the whole ordeal) is now passing the mantel to Joshua… It is in this passage we can find uncertainty and also find encouragement… The uncertainty is easily found in our lives when things change… The same can be said with the children of God as Moses is removed in our focus verse… Just like the Hebrews, we are on the cusp of something great and right when we are beginning to celebrate there is a perceived setback that takes place or comes into play… The challenge that we face in our Christian journey is not the setback, but displaying the ability to “Be strong and of good courage…” You can’t be strong (as this passage indicates that you have to be) if you are not prepared and this is why it is so important that we understand that trials and tribulations are a very important part of our growth and maturity in Christ… 

When you expect the unexpected, when you prepare for the worse, you can move from being strong and of good courage into the next level of Christian maturity which teaches and instills in you that you should “fear not, nor be afraid…” See the children of God feared what would happen under a new leader when Joshua took over, they feared change; however, if they simply recalled the past to the present they would have learned that there was no reason to fear since God had already delivered them before… Today, in your life, when you feel like you are suffering a setback know that you have no reason to fear; the same God that saw you to the storm will be the same God that leads you through the storm… The enemy wants you to believe that you will not succeed, he wants you to give up and throw in the towel; however, the word of God tells us today “for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…” You can rest assured that God will not leave you; you may feel at time like you are alone, but you can be assured today that God is always with you and will always be by your side… You can endure your trying time today; you can go through the turmoil without worry or panic simply because you have the Lord on your side… The children of God lost sight of what God had already done and that generation was cut off and never reached the Promise Land… The message we learn from this text today is simple yet powerful… If I had to sum up the charge put forth from this passage I would warn, challenge and encourage you by these words… God has already been were you are and where you are going… The path you are traveling had to be paved for you to travel it and the battles you encounter have already been won… With that being said, don’t let the appearance of things derail your divine reality…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Return Is Closer Than You Think

"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand." 

Joel 2:1

In today’s study we have a word of warning and a word of victory solely deriving from where you stand as a person of this world or a person of Christ… Through the message of warning, we find the directive to “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,” this call to the priest was to let the people know of the divine judgment that is to come… There are so many people who we encounter in our daily lives that do not know Christ… Please come to the realization today and understand that there is a difference between not knowing Him and rejecting Him; a lot of times we meet people who have never had Christ shared with them, we engage with people daily that don’t know what Christ has done for us and as a child of God the great commission commands us, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”We are called to bear witness of Christ and let our light shine before men… It is our divine assignment to let people know of the joy we have which was not given of this world but made obtainable by the nail-scarred hands of Christ… 

The bible declares that “Faith cometh by hearing…” People cannot believe in something that they have never heard of; this is why the bible also declares “and how can they hear without a preacher…”You have a faith that was ignited in you to keep you going through this dark and dreary world; however, you also have a measure of faith that was distinctly deposited in you to be poured out into the lives of those you encounter… The world has a standard of living that we conform to from birth; however, as a child of God it is up to us to capture what Paul has told us in his letter to the Church of Rome and “be transformed…” Your life in Christ is altered from your life in this world and it is now your time to “sound the alarm”and alter the lives of others… You have a message of warning to deliver, this isn’t about saving a soul, but opening the door for them to know that the way they live now can be changed and transformed if they choose to follow Christ… Those who don’t know Christ, those who reject Christ need to know that He will return and this alone should cause “all the inhabitants of the land to tremble…” The second message I see from this passage is a message of victory to all those who have stood the test and fought the good fight… You may not know when or even how, but you can rest assured as a child of God that your latter will be greater than your former and the Lord will show up and show out… The message we have for our devotion today is a message of proclaiming victory if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior… This isn’t a proclamation based on reaching the mountain top; it is a proclamation declaring to the world that we are on a step hill but we are confident in knowing that we will reach the top and all those who opposed our mission will be in awe of our accomplishment in Christ… 

We are not assured to see the fruits of our labor here on earth; however, we are assured that “the Lord cometh” and He will have the rewards for all with Him… Despite what you have faced or the challenges you have gone through, you can claim victory in the midst of your trials and tribulations. Just the assurance that Christ will return is enough to shout victory… In having faith that He will return, you have faith that your work is not in vain, you have faith that the tears you have sown in despair will water the seed of abundance for your future… The word of God declares in Psalms 126, verse 5 that “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” In Christ, you are guaranteed victory… It may not be manifested in the way you desired or in your lifetime on this earth, but you can find joy in knowing that it will manifest… Instead of wailing through your current circumstance, you can sing a song of praise, you can alter the atmosphere in your household, on your job and in your family because you know that God doesn’t make mistakes “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Today, sound the alarm when you encounter a wayward soul, sound the alarm when you entertain a guest that doesn’t know Christ; however, if you are going through you can also open your mouth in the midst of your situation, hardship or despair and “Blow the trumpet” knowing that this too shall pass and the only things that are certain in this life are that we shall die and Christ shall take His children home to glory…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Stay Humble

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:3  

As a child of God, one of the biggest signs of maturity is how you deal with situations and people… Just as Jesus made it clear that He wants you to give from your heart, Paul reminds the church of Philippi that we are to strive to do things out of love and not out of strife, which is friction, discord or rivalry… How do you respond when someone ask you to do something, do you act like it is the end of the world, do you pout and let out a despairing cry? This letter to the church of Philippi urges the true disciple to focus on living for God and not worldly respect! There are two main points that we must understand when it comes to dealing with things through strife… The bible says that we aren’t suppose to let the left hand know what the right hand is doing, this simple means that we are to be about the work of God without worrying making sure that people see all that we do… First, many of us have lost sight of humbling ourselves before the Lord and exalting God through our living. Instead, we have wanted to make sure that everyone and their mother knows what we have been asked to do or how difficult people are making our lives… 

We will throw our hands up with a massive sigh as if to say that this is a ton of bricks which have been placed upon our shoulders. The second thing to this is that we try to draw attention to ourselves so that the people around us will praise our efforts… Jesus said wherever your treasures are there your heart will be… If you are focused on pleasing men and seeking their approval, you have lost sight of God and His approval which is the only one that matters… Paul says to us today that we need to stop acting foolish, stop looking for physical gain and popularity (vainglory); instead, we need to be focused on understanding what being a child of God in tells. We are called to lift each other up (not tear each other down), but in lifting each other we are to do it without murmurings or disputes… Paul says we are to be in a lowly state; this calls for you to check your ego at the door, this informs me that I must examine the motives as to why have acted and make sure that in all that I do God is glorified and not me… Remember Paul was faced a challenge with the church of Corinth, people had begun to follow Him instead of Christ and Paul was quick to refocus them toward God and not man… Let us learn from Paul and remember that we aren’t hear to please man, we aren’t here to be put on a pedestal, we have been given a chance on this earth through God’s grace and must live accordingly… Even though Paul dealt with people wanting to boast His ego; we have no better example to follow when it comes to this topic than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… 

Let us examine Christ when He came to this earth, what if He throw His hands up when He saw the cross that He would have to carry and be strung out on? What if He nagged and complained about all the people who asked for healing and cleansing? What if Jesus was looking for vainglory, so He started to adhere to the false teaching of the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees? More importantly, what if Jesus decided to forgo the cross because there were no people on earth worthy of His sacrifice… This is what Paul is talking about today, Christ lowered Himself and nobody was worthy of His offering, we must have a (n) attitude that will allow us to help others even when they may not deserve it, we must be able to lay aside malice and take steps toward fulfilling the desires that God has for our lives, we must stop seeking materials and elevate our minds spiritually… If Jesus would have taken this approach, you and I wouldn’t have the life that we enjoy at this present day… In short, we would not be here and heaven would not be a possibility… The bible says that just as a sheep before His shearers is silent, He never said a mumbling word! Christ didn’t complain, He didn’t call attention to all the good deeds that He did (remember He constantly told those He healed to keep silent), so Paul tells us today be focused on God, help those in need, and witness to the lost and confused! Most importantly remember that God sees your deeds, so you don’t need to broadcast them all over the place!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Blessed Is The One Who Trust In The Lord

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psalm 40:4

How you live your life demonstrates who the head of your life is and what matters most to you… The Lord cannot be “our trust” if we give up the value He has within our lives to fit in with others… This verse taken from the 40^th psalm informs us of what it takes to be called BLESSED! So often we hear people say that they are blessed and highly favored… Highly favored coming from the announcement made to Mary by the angels that she would give birth to Christ! Notice that Mary was an upright women who lived a life adhering to God’s will and standard of living, she adapted to every situation she faced and never gained an ego nor lived by the worldly views… One who trusts in the Lord remains humble while being exalted; they stay the course in rocky situations and seek to fulfill the desires of God… There are stipulations that come with this territory of being called BLESSED. If you claim that you are blessed, than that means you trust the Lord, aren’t concerned about the respect of peers and aren’t caught up in the ways of this world… To be a blessed individual, there are a lot of sacrifices that you must make and they are broken down below: Keep in mind that we all are blessed, but we must understand that this doesn’t just mean that God has favored us or brought us through storms, to be blessed is indeed a validation to where you stand as a child of God!

1)      You must trust the Lord: Trusting is not only believing but also expecting in any and every situation (whether good or bad)… This means that even in the dark days of your life you must continue to hold to God’s word, when things are uncertain, your faith must remain certain and when tribulations face you daily you must believe that HE is, and that HE is a reward of them that diligently seek him! Trusting God is not simply praying, but withstanding the test without complaining… Do you trust Him?

2)      Respect NOT the Proud: How hard is it for you to ignore what the world views as success, how hard is it for you to stand still despite what people may say and hold to God’s hand? There will be many chances in this life for you to show your trust in the Lord and dealing with peer pressure is one of them. Christ came to this earth and went against the Sanhedrin and Pharisees; He turned the tide and went against the grain… To be blessed you must do the same, it is a lot easier to be of the world then to just be in it, but a true BLESSED child of God will go against the status quo and deliver a powerful witness against those who proclaim the ways of evil!

3)      Nor turn aside to Lies: This last task may be the most daunting of them all, we are called to walk upright before the Lord and this means that we must avoid the temptations of this world and sacrifice our sinful nature daily… Walking a Christian journey is filled with ups and downs strengths and weaknesses… Due to this fact there will be many opportunities for you to lean away from God’s calling. People will come against the Lord at your weakest hour, they will blaspheme Him when you feel alone and isolated, but you must be capable of rising against the falsehoods and staying focused on the one who is THE AUTHOR AND FINSHER OF YOUR FAITH! God has started a masterpiece in your life, but it will not reap the rewards until every stroke has been completed. Sadness is a stroke, pain is a stroke, healing is a stroke, perseverance is a stroke, endurance is a stroke, and these things will mold you into the masterpiece He has called you to be! It is in the weak hours that Satan will try to plant lies within you that will lead you to question your faith; you must turn them aside and stay the course…

You are blessed not because God has let you see another day, but because you trust the Lord, you are blessed not because things are coming with ease, but because you don’t respect the proud and egotistic persons, and you are blessed not because you have many things, but because you do not adhere to the lies that will come against your God! Jesus said, “Take up your cross!” Another way to interpret these words is to simply ask the following question:

Are you truly BLESSED and do you have what it takes to be called BLESSED?

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Sheep Know His Voice

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28

A sheep is a (n) animal that is steered and directed towards a certain destination; unlike many animals, sheep are aimless, harmless creatures that must be guided daily and must be protected… The bible refers to mankind as sheep and this analogy fits us to a tee… Just as sheep, we wonder through this life aimlessly with no sense of direction and if we aren’t guided will end up in harm’s way and be devoured…Sheep not only must be watched over just as we need to be, but they also must develop a sense of trust and obedience with their shepherd… Over time sheep learn the voice of their master and will follow without hesitation, this speaks to the maturity that takes place in the lives of Christians, because of the sinful nature you will not willingly follow Jesus at the outset, but with time you will not only learn to trust Him, but you will be able to decipher His voice from the voice of the enemy… Christ says in this passage taken from John that His sheep hear His voice and that He knows them just as they know Him! 

Notice the first statement is rather general to the point that His sheep hear His voice, but the next statement shows that intimacy that must be present within our lives as a Christian… Christ says, I know them and they follow me… Christ understand that you aren’t perfect, He knows that you make mistakes and what this passage informs me of is that He is ready and willing to protect you, but you must first hear His voice and follow Him… So many people hear the voice of the Lord calling them, but they don’t follow, they pretend to be okay and don’t seek the help and cure that only God can provide… A shepherd must protect His sheep or they will be lost, Jesus wants to protect you, but you must follow Him or you will indeed be lost… Jesus goes on to say, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish…” As I stated earlier, sheep are aimless creatures, but here Jesus reminds us that He will give your life a sense of purpose, He will guide you in all your ways and will make sure that you don’t’ perish… There are always times when a sheep is in danger, but a good shepherd not only can sense these times, but also can save the sheep… Jesus is informing us today that you will have times of trials, you will have times of despair and you will find yourself in times of uncertainty and danger, but Jesus wants you to find courage in knowing that if you are following Him that He will save you… Your trials won’t break you, your obstacles won’t deter you, and your enemies will not be victorious… 

Not only does Jesus guarantee eternal life, but He also says, “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand…” Once you have accepted the offering that was poured out on the cross, once you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, once you have entrusted your life into His hands there is nothing of this earth that can deny your place in God’s kingdom… Many people miss the fact that when you turn you life over to God that is when your trials will become real, many people overlook the fact that Satan isn’t worried about attacking you until you make Jesus your Lord… God is telling us that you will be tried when you follow Him, you will be tempted when you are doing His will, you will experience spiritual warfare once you decide to follow Jesus and He wants you to know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, He wants you to know that all those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved and He wants you to know that in His father’s house are many mansions… Sheep are useful animals that have value in so many forms (wool, meat, diary, landscaping etc…) They just must be directed in order to reach there potential… You have a lot of value in this life that hasn’t been seen, Jesus wants to direct your path so you can reach your full potential… Jesus told the fisherman, “come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men…” The sky is the limit when Jesus is your Pilot…

Listen to his voice, continue to walk in his path and believe in his word!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He'll Give You Power & Strength

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

Isaiah 40:28-29

Do you know the God that you serve? I hope that you know and understand that as a co-heir with Jesus Christ we serve a God that is limitless and all mighty… Even though you may have experienced a setback or may not be where you desire; Isaiah has a question for you while you are in the midst of your current circumstance… “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard…?” If you really feel like giving up or throwing in the towel today you must know realize the authority and power which lies in the hand of the God you serve… If you are waving your white flag in the direction of the enemy as a sign of surrender than you must not know the everlasting God that is bigger than any situation or conflict… The bible declares that God is every present, the bible also declares that we must rung this race with perseverance… This means that we must believe and stand in faith that the word of God is true when it says that “you will reap a harvest in due time if you faint not…” No matter what has taken place in your life, no matter how great or mighty the storm may appear to be, you can find comfort and solace in knowing that you serve a God that is unmatched and like no other… He is as Isaiah records in today’s focus verses “the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator…” Despite what you me be facing right now, proclaim through your faith that the word is true and you serve notice to the enemy today that God is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that he should repent… 

Does he speak and not act, does he promise and not fulfill (Numbers 23:19)… His promises are real and will be manifested as He said… The songwriter said,“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…” Isaiah reminds us today that in times of despair we have a reason to smile, when things seem deem we have a glamour of hope, when darkness has filled our lives we have a ray of sunshine, when storms rage and ravage the land we can find shelter… As a child of God we must remember that even at the darkest hours of our lives God is at work, we must hold on to the fact that even when the mountain seems to steep God is right there and will never leave us nor forsake us… Times of despair teach us where we stand as a child God, but also help us to focus on strengthening our faith in Him… When trials surface, we are to take them in stride and showcase the work that God has begun in us… We aren’t called to whine about our situations or current circumstances, we aren’t suppose to throw our hands up as if we have been defeated, we aren’t suppose to complain to each other about our problems and we aren’t suppose to give up… We may not understand the trials that we face, we may not comprehend the current situations, but we find joy in knowing that God will deliver us, we find peace in knowing that He will never put more on us than we can bear, we find strength in knowing that God has a plan for our lives… The bible says, “He who has begun a good work will complete it…” The bible says, “For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, thoughts of prosperity, hope and a future…” Don’t become discouraged because you have indeed heard that God doesn’t become weary, you have heard that He hears your faintest cry and has all power in the palm of His hand… Paul said, “When I am weak, He is strong…” 

Isaiah reminds us today that God will give you strength to make it through the day, He will give you authority over every trial, and He will give you power over every stronghold and will turn every obstacle into a stepping stone… Your weakest point will become your greatest showcase of faith and God’s faithfulness… The fact of the matter is that your trials display the truth of where you stand as a child of God… If you think that you can’t win, if you think that you have no hope, if you think that the enemy has won, if you think that your children have strayed to far, if you think that your marriage can’t be fixed, if you believe that your debt can’t be wiped out, if you think that this journey is to hard to take, if you complain at every storm that comes your way; then Isaiah wants you to know that you don’t know the God you serve… You haven’t heard of the delivering power He poses and you haven’t understood that He is the way, the truth and the light… You can smile in the face of adversity, not because you enjoy the current predicament, but because you know  and have heard of the God you serve which is mightier than any tribulation… The Israelites went through bondage and the desert before reaching the Promise Land, your journey will produce the same steps but more importantly, it will produce the same results…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Power Comes From The Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

When I want to give up on this journey I find strength in the cross… When I feel like I can’t make it another day, I can go to sleep with a smile on face because of the cross… It is through the cross that children of God find hope and strength… In suffering the most humiliating death on earth Jesus obtained the greatest victory known to man which is death… The cross reminds me that nothing thrust against me will overcome the will and divine plan of God… The cross reminds me to accept challenges, endure hardships and embrace obstacles because in the midst of my pain and suffering a victory is being obtained that will far surpass my current predicament… There are people who are in this world and don’t know the hope that they have or can have in Christ Jesus… There are people who you encounter on a daily basis that don’t know the authority the enemy has over them is only given to him by them because the cross has set them free… People don’t know that they have been freed and are in bondage by choice and not circumstance… Since people don’t realize what Jesus did and haven’t realized that the situations they face and the chaos that surrounds their everyday lives is a result of their own actions “the message of the cross is foolishness…” Your life can be better than it is, you can have a peace that is stable amidst this unstable world, but you must let go and allow God to work… Jesus let go after praying for the cup to pass from Him, as a result God not only delivered Him but placed Him in high esteem… As a Christian, our faith lives in what took place on the cross… 

Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth reminds us today of the biggest obstacle that stands not only between believers and non-believers, but also what separates us from all other religions… All religions believe in a form of God; however, the discrepancy comes into play when you focus on who Jesus is… Most religions see Jesus as a prophet, most recognize Him as a messenger, but only Christianity sees Him as God in the flesh and the savior of all who believe in His name… The message of the cross is our inspiration as a Christian; the message of the cross represents a new beginning and the ability to overcome insurmountable odds… Foolishness is stupidity, idiocy or silliness; those who are dying haven’t realized it, nor do the see the saving grace that God bestowed through His son… The message is foolishness to them because they haven’t understood the path that they have journeyed, they haven’t realized the place they will spend eternity without Gods help and have not recognized the errors of their ways…As a Christian we confess the sins we have made, we acknowledge that we are filthy rags and don’t deserve any of God’s Grace or Mercy, to us the cross symbolizes and demonstrates the love the God has for His creation, it shows us the grace of God in that He sent His only begotten son to die for our sins… The message of the cross is foolishness to those who perish because they can’t comprehend the love that God has for us… 

It is through this act that we know that God desires mankind to be with Him, it is through the cross that we see that God doesn’t want to see us perish or fall short, it is through the cross that we see that God desires for us to reach the highest of heights and live a life full of prosperity… Not only does the message of the cross showcase God’s love, but Paul goes on to say that it is the“power of God…” Often times we look at the cross and all the Jesus endured during His great suffering, but Paul challenges us to recognize the other piece to the puzzle… Jesus dying on the cross was the cornerstone to Salvation; however, the foundation lies upon Him being raised up from the dead… Jesus received all power in the palm of His hand and now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf… We see God’s love through the cross, but also are encouraged by His power that He was able to lift His son up from the very grasp of death… This lets us know that there is no pit God can’t snatch you out of, there is no snare that God can’t deliver you from, there is no bondage to great that God can’t break the chains and plant you on solid ground… The message of the cross is a stumbling block for many people in this world; however, the message of the cross also is the stepping stone for Christians to come out of the pits of sin and have all there past mistakes and failures forgiven… The cross represents death for all who don’t believe, it also represents life for all who call on His name…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

My Peace I Give To You

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

You may not see Him, but there is evidence of His presences in your life… Jesus encourages us today to know that we can find comfort through our sleepless nights and tear-soaked pillow cases… You have been going through a rough patch in your life, you have been challenged and have felt the weight of the world upon your shoulders; however, know that you have a symbol of hope in the remnant of God’s peace… Jesus says,“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…” It was the peace of knowing that He would have victory that allowed Him to be mocked and whipped… It was the peace of knowing that He would be reunited to the Father that allowed Him to be strung out on the Cross and it was the peace of His coming ascension which allowed Him to descend into the belly of this earth… Christ calls for you to take courage in knowing that you can be at peace today because the war has already been won… He lives His peace to you today so you can know that storms on the horizon have already been passed through by His nail scarred hands and His blood will keep you safe from all harm… Psalms 91 says “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place…” 

Today, even as you encounter obstacles and hardships you have the opportunity to be at peace with the trials and tribulations that you will face or are facing… Christ has left you peace as He endured the cross and prepared for His transitioned from earth back to heaven! What does it mean that Christ has left you peace? Peace is calm, quiet, tranquility, and harmony! It is great to have peace in the realm of harmony and quietness; however, Jesus even takes it a step further by saying that He not only left us peace but that He left us His peace… The word of God says “my peace I give unto you…” There is something fundamentally different about the peace we have in Christ… The peace we obtain in the world will have us in the mindset that we are stable; however, the peace we have in Christ allows us to think outside of the box and know that not only will I be okay, but I am going to come out of this storm better than I was before it hit… “My peace” will allow acts of love to destroy snares by the enemy, “my peace” will allow for kind words to be spoken toward a (n) adversary… Christ says He will leave you peace which declares to me today that peace is a spirit… The peace we obtain in Christ is not built on emotions but dictates motives and actions… The peace we find in Christ will allow us to seek forgiveness for those who oppose us, understanding that they really don’t understand what they are doing (the same words Jesus spoke from the Cross)… 

When you have the peace of Christ you can look at people and say that even though you have tried to harm me, you really have given me a opportunity to show forth my faith so that God can demonstrate His faithfulness… I am at peace with what has transpired in my life because I know the one who is head over my life has great things in store for me… The peace Christ refers to today is a spirit that is poured out on those who walk in the light of God… Christ leaves us peace today because He knows all that we will have to go through; He understands the trying times that we will face and the tribulations that we surely will endure! Notice He says that He gives it, not as the world giveth… There are no strings attached to this wonderful blessing that Christ has assured His children! When you receive it, it will not be taken back from you nor will you lose it… When we are given something in the worldly standard we are expected to give something in return; Christ constantly preached about giving from your heart and He is living the words that He spoke for all to hear. You can be at peace with everything you endure if your come to the realization that it will produce something better in your future… This is why, even in the midst of your trying times Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…” The battle has already been won, the victory is assured and you just have to walk the path that Jesus has already paved for you… Don’t be troubled today by what you see or what transpires in your life… Jesus said that “He has gone to prepare a place for you…” The best is yet to come, so you can be at peace with where you are today… Go ahead and speak peace over your household knowing your relationship can be restored, speak peace over your children knowing that even though they may be of the world now they will return home… Smile today no matter what you are going through because you know that you will be okay and everything will work out; in other words, be at PEACE…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Door Is Still Open

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8

Despite what people may have told you or even have attempted to persuade you to believe, this Christian journey isn’t easy… From the time we wake up until the time we lay down again we are surrounded by temptations and snares... While you are resting the enemy is devising new plans to be carried out against you to steal, kill and destroy all that God has in store for you… You may be wondering why the minute you come out of a storm there is another one on the horizon; this coming and going of obstacles can wreak havoc on your physically and mentally; however, through John’s revelation today we are reminded that God “knows thy works…” No matter how daunting the task may appear to be, no matter how much sweat and tears are poured out or energy is exerted through your ordeals, be encouraged today that your perseverance will pay off and even though it may feel at times that God isn’t there, the truth of the matter is that He is right by your side… The Lord sees your struggles; He knows the desires of your heart and has provided you a way of escape and a means of obtaining victory by “setting before thee an open door…” 

Often times we can get overwhelmed by the things that we are faced with and never realize the path which God has already paved for us to not only make it through but to overcome and excel… I can recall a very strong piece of advice that my sister once told me; she said, “don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is…” I quote this powerful statement as a means to challenge you to accept the hand that you have and know that the God you serve will make sure that it plays in a way that you will not only survive it, but will come out better than you were going in because of it… Instead of focusing on the why; learn to be thankful for the when… God has promised to set before you an open door because He has seen your works… Stop allowing your day to be consumed by asking why I have to deal with this or why this is happening to me and learn today to be thankful for God’s grace and mercy which has kept you this far and start declaring “I don’t understand why, but I know it’s not a question of if God will deliver me but when…” This word today is one to encourage you to hold on just a little while longer… God has opened a door for your exaltation, He has setup your path to claim your victory, and He has prepared the way for you to accept your reward! John records this verse with the mindset to encourage us in our daily walk, to give us a power boost or surge of energy so that we will not circum to the evil plans that wait before us. John was exiled to the island of Patmus; however, this is exactly where God wanted Him to be… 

The revelation knowledge came when John was placed in isolation (getting the point)… Accept your trials and tribulations, trust that what you are dealing with “was not meant for evil” as Joshua reminds us in the book of Genesis… The enemy wants you to believe that you don’t have a future in Christ because that is only way that He can stop you… The door that God has opened for your ascension, the door that He has opened for your victory “no man can shut it…” God not only knows thy work, but because you “have kept His word and not denied His name” you are about to be taken to higher levels than you can even fathom or imagine… As the psalmist David wrote, “He is preparing a table for you in the presences of your enemies…” Again, this passage says that God knows thy works, he has seen your struggles, he has heard your cry, he feels the pain and anguish that you have faced, and understands the trials that you have been through! Christ needs you to understand that your trials are set for your benefit, your faith is bringing about prosperity, and your tribulations have set the open door to salvation before you! It is because of thy works, it is because you have risen above the perilous times, it is because you never gave up, it is because you fought the good fight that there is a crown laid up for you! God acknowledges that we are weak, that we are not perfect, but he sees that you have kept his word, you haven’t denied Him before men; so He is preparing your riches, he has gone to set you up for a greatness never imagined and a victory never seen. No man can thwart God’s plan, so keep the faith and know that God has prepared your exaltation!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Everything Will Be Revealed In Time

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Luke 8:17

There are times in life when we don’t understand, there are points in your Christian journey where we are puzzled by some of the situations that we face… Today, Luke reminds us that everything will be revealed to us in time…The songwriter said “Ooo by and by when the morning comes, all the saints of God are gathered home, we will, tell the story of how we overcome and we’ll understand it better by and by…” Let us realize today that as the years past and we grow in Christ the understanding as to the path and reason behind every turn will be clearer and clearer for us... You may not understand why this or that happened right now, you may not have a clue as to what impact this situation that you are going through will have on your life, but Luke assures us that at God’s appointed time, we will understand… 

God informed us in the 55^th chapter of Isaiah about the lack of understanding that we would have at times in our lives… We can’t comprehend the magnitude of God’s actions; the word says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Our faith shouldn’t rely on living a life of harmony, but on accepting every avenue that this Christian journey takes us on knowing and believing that God knows what’s best for us… God has a special and ordained plan for your life! The turmoil you face is for a reason, the heartache and pain has a purpose, and the chaos and confusion is divine. There will be days where things don’t make sense, times where you feel bewildered and puzzled about your current circumstances, surely there will be instances of shaky ground and conflict! Luke records for us today that there is no secret that shall not be manifested, this passage does not tell you the everything will make sense when you want it to, it doesn’t say that the puzzle pieces of life will fall into place just as you expected, but what is does tell us is that every time and purpose will bring you to a ultimate joyous conclusion… What is does tells us is that as long as you are walking in the spirit and will of God everything well work for your benefit! Luke says things will make sense and you will be enlightened; the key is that all this will take place at God’s appointed time… The struggles that we face in this life are treacherous, the pain we face is agonizing, but when we are called up into the air we will understand every tear that was shed, every ache that was felt and every storm that raged upon us… One can ask why it was that Christ had to die on the cross, one could if there was a simpler way to handle Salvation, but what we can’t deny is that Christ sits at the right hand of God with all power in His hand… 

The bible is filled with times of uncertainty and confusion… Joshua was sold into slavery by his brothers, through his slavery he became a king! Joshua later declares, “Though it was meant for evil, God meant it for good!”Your current imprisonment is bringing about your freedom and salvation, your breakthrough is coming! Even though, you may not understand everything to the degree you wish, understand that God never fails, know that he has a destiny that you will reap a bountiful harvest… Gold must be put through the fire in order to reap its true rewards and worth… Your trials are you fire; the uncertainty that hangs over your life are the flames that are burning away the impurities the lie within you, so don’t lose faith in God because of the things that don’t make sense; on the contrary, trust Him more now, so that in the end you will be better than you are today! Everything will be revealed in time, you will understand your hardships when you reap your rewards, you will understand your trials when they have completed the maturing that was to take place in your life, you will understand your heartache when you child comes back through the doors… The Lord told Habakkuk to, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” You are the tablet that God is writing on; you are the message of hope to a dark and confused world… Your trials are rays of hope and God will make it plain when He brings you out and places on solid ground… God has a message that you are to deliver to this world, a message that will be made plain, a message that will be clarified and message that will not be hid from you… The message is of His divine love, authority and faithfulness… You may not understand right now, but keep running because it will be revealed for all mankind to see…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He Wants To Shower You With Love

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

If you want the experience the power and might of God allow Him into the midst of you… Jesus said behold I stand at the door and knock and we are informed today that God is mighty and when we allow Him in He will save us! Zephaniah reminds us today that it doesn’t matter how far you have fallen, it doesn’t matter how far you have strayed away or even how many mistakes that you have made; God still sits high and looks low, He still has all power in the palm of His hand and can save you… One of the most interesting things that I also see in this passage is that God’s power can only be manifested by your allowance! This verse starts off by saying that “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty…” God must first dwell in you in order to display His mighty hand… You must sacrifice your desires of the flesh and strive to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord… We often talk about the trials that we are facing and how much anguish we are in, but the bigger storm in our lives is whether or not God is in the midst of thee… Is God the head of your life, is He the focus of your daily walk, is he the driving force behind your purpose in life? If so, Zephaniah tells us that the God who dwells in you will surely save you… 

It is of the utmost importance that we establish a relationship with God in order for Him to enter in and mend our heart… Zephaniah is speaking to a people who are in a confused and dark place, he is speaking to the hearts of a people that have rebelled against God and found themselves in the lowest of places, Zephaniah is speaking to a people who have lost hope and feel as if there is no way out… Zephaniah is speaking to you when you feel that the pain is too much to bear, he is speaking to you when you feel that your household is in shambles, the prophet is speaking to you when your job becomes so hectic, your finances are in flux and your children have strayed off the course of promise and hope… This message is for the true believer in God when you feel that God isn’t present, this message is for the person in prayer that hasn’t seen any results, it’s for the parent who is trying to make ends meet but can’t seem to stay afloat… The answer to all your struggles begins with your relationship with God! One of the greatest evangelist and apostles was Paul, as he grew in age he begin to have some medical challenges in his life… Paul said in 2^nd Corinthians the 12^th chapter that God have given him a thorn in his flesh… He continuously prayed that God would remove, but went on to say that God answered by saying, “My grace is sufficient; my strength is made perfect in weakness…” 

Later Paul says, “When I am weak, He (God) is strong…” Paul wanted to experience better days than he was facing, he wanted to be able to move freely without pain or suffering, but he also understood that even in the midst of hardships that God is mighty… Don’t be discouraged when trials come knocking at your door, don’t become weak when situations go south and opposition rears its ugly head… Zephaniah says that, “He will rejoice over thee with joy…” Believe it or not, but God rejoices in your trials because He knows that you are being developed, He knows that you are being purified and that you faith is growing stronger… God rejoices because He knows that even though the situation may be uncomfortable at the moment, your reward will surpass anything that you have dealt with… Jesus endured the cross and now sits on the throne with all power in His hand… God wasn’t rejoicing at the sight of His son bleeding and in pain, but He was rejoicing to have another relationship established with mankind and to have His son resurrected from the dead… James said that we are to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials, not because of the trials but because of the development the trial brings… Keep your focus on pleasing God, don’t be discouraged by the obstacles that life brings and don’t allow your faith to waver… Zephaniah reminds us that if we have a relationship with God, He will surely be there in times of trouble and hardship… God knows how much we can bear, but also will always provide a way of escape… Rejoice in the trials that come your way, rejoice in the storms that approach your do not because they are fun to endure, but because you know that Jesus is Lord of your life, you know that God bestowed all power in His hands, but more importantly because you have been assured through this passage that God will save you!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Watch & Pray

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Matthew 26:41

As a child of God you must always be on guard… The moment you become comfortable is the same moment when you become susceptible to the devices of the enemy… Being alert is not a (n) optional trait that we carry, but a command from the very mouth of Jesus which was spoken to His disciples as He begins to prepare for crucifixion… If you want to reach the levels that God desire and has planned for you to reach, you must learn to “watch and pray…” Today, through this passage we learn how easy temptation can seep into our hearts and minds… It is through these words that we learn how much danger lies at our doorstep every morning or even cuddles beside us in our beds… Jesus speaks to the disciples about temptation knowing that they didn’t even realize what was taking place… A lot of times we overlook the small things (like falling asleep) but Jesus teaches us today that we need to learn to deal with the small issues in life before the lead to bigger problems… 

There are a lot of things that lead us to temptation; there are a lot of doors that we have left up in our lives that entice us to do wrong… Some of these doors could be acquaintances that we need to shut off, some of these doors could be old habits that we never fully removed from our lives or even places that we visit. The point that we need to learn today is that no matter where you are in life temptation is around you… So many people think that they are above certain things based on their economic or social standing; however, the truth of the matter is that when you begin to put confidence in your flesh you open the door to the enemy taking advantage of your weaknesses which is why Jesus goes on to say “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak….” You can overcome the attack of the enemy; however, the only way to conquer him is through the presences and power of the Holy Spirit which is realized by submission and prayer… Whether you realize it or not, there is a battle that is taking place within you everyday of your life… We naturally sin and fall short of the glory of God, the desires that we are born with are desires that alienate us from God and lead to destruction. You never have to teach a child to do wrong; you never have to show them how to be disobedient of unruly… We are born with a rebellious nature, we are born with a desire for the flesh and when we accept the call of God upon our lives the battle begins… It is because of this that we are told that we must “Watch and pray…”Remember when Jesus was baptized, the bible says that right after coming from the word He was lead into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil… 

The devil knows what comes natural to us; he will use whatever he can to grab our attention and that most easily is done by focusing on things that we already desire from the outset of life… It is because of this very fact that we are told here in the gospel of Matthew that we must “Watch and pray…” We are called to be vigilant and observe the things around us… Notice that if we watch and pray we can resist, but if we don’t than we will enter into temptation… When we start to take things in our own hands instead of relying on God we enter into temptation… When we think that things won’t be that bad we enter into temptation, when we try to straddle the fence we enter into temptation… It is so simple and subtle to fall by the wayside and that is why Matthew records that we must “Watch and pray…” The temptations that we face are things that appeal to the desires of our flesh… The temptations that we face are things that we have experienced before and found pleasure in… Jesus knows that this battle is overcoming what comes naturally; that’s why He says that, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." We must come to know and realize that the desires that we have within our heart will not overcome the desires that we have in the flesh without the presence of God and His spirit… This is why we must be vigilant and continue to pray… We cannot defeat Satan on our own and we can look at how many times we have tried and failed to know that that is true… Paul says in the 7^th chapter of Romans, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” We will continue to fall short and miss the mark if we try with our own might… Once we realize that this battle is real and we take it to the Lord in prayer we will overcome the temptations in our lives and live a life that is pleasing in His sight…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!